Basement poured/Closing the first floor

This post brings us to June 2007 after the basement floor and walls had already been poured. When you build here in Siberia you must dig so far down to get past the frost line that the difference in digging a bit more for a full basement is minimal. We felt the basement would be an added blessing which could used for church activities or classes if necessary.

Once the cement work was complete, David sealed up the sides of the exposed walls with tar and styrofoam for insulation. Then a tractor moved more dirt up against these outer walls for added protection and future landscaping.

Finding kiln-dried lumber of a decent enough quality to build with presented us with many challenges. After trying to do business with several different lumber mills, we finally were able to find a reliable source with better quality materials. Most people here think that if you are going to build a house warm enough for Siberia it must be made out of logs. The idea being 'the thicker the better', but not much attention is put into making sure the houses are sealed properly. As is the case with the existing house on our property, they are cold and drafty in the winter. We draw attention building a stick frame house here, although it is becoming more and more popular. 

We as a family were all expecting/hoping/praying to be able to move into our new home much sooner than it has happened.  So with every load of lumber delivered you can see in Rebekah's prayer request booklet the dates of answers to prayer! The kids have been so diligent to pray and ask the Lord to provide our needs so that we may finish building our house. 

Rebekah's prayer booklet

This is a little blurry but the top request is "that our wood would come faster."

We spent five months on furlough during the Fall of 2008 to Spring 2009. Since winter would be arriving while we were in the States, we prepared the foundation to be closed until our return. Once we were able to, we finished the first floor as you see in the photo below. 

Summer 2009